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review: the husband’s secret …

Review : The Husband’s Secret …

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Introduction …

As part of ME Awareness 2021, I am fundraising for The ME Trust UK by taking up one of their challenges.

I am going to read 10 books in 10 months and will review each one once I’ve finished it. Below you will find the review for one of the ten books that I read as part of this challenge.

Why …

I have been sick since 1984. It took till 2001 for doctors to diagnose me with ME. Initially, I was mildly sick then moderately but in recent years I’ve progressed to being severely affected. I am housebound and often bedbound for months on end.

I really want to raise awareness and to raise money to help research #endME.

I am planning on reading ten books in ten months starting 12th May, which is international ME Awareness Day. At one time in my life I could have read ten books in ten days. But this challenge will be hard for me to do.

So please please if you can support me and help raise money for the ME Trust UK

YOU CAN DONATE BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOW:

ME Awareness Fundraising : Ten Books In Ten Months

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty …

Liane Moriarty is the author of the #1 “New York Times” bestsellers “The Husband’s Secret” and “Big Little Lies,” as well as “The Hypnotist s Love Story, ” “What Alice Forgot, ” “Three Wishes, ” and “The Last Anniversary.” She lives in Sydney, Australia, with her husband and two children.

Book Synopsis … (taken from book cover, can be skipped ↴)

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty ...

Mother of three and wife of John-Paul, Cecilia discovers an old envelope in the attic. Written in her husband’s hand, it says: to be opened only in the event of my death.

Curious, she opens it – and time stops.

John-Paul’s letter confesses to a terrible mistake which, if revealed, would wreck their family as well as the lives of others.

Cecilia wants to do the right thing, but right for who? If she protects her family by staying silent, the truth will worm through her heart. But if she reveals her husband’s secret, she will hurt those she loves most . . .

‘The writing is beautiful: sometimes funny, sometimes sad but always compelling’ GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

‘Cleverly plotted, full of suspense and so well-written that it pulls you in from the first page’ SUNDAY MIRROR

Book Genre …

The Husband’s Secret falls into the Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Domestic, Mystery, Thriller, genres.

About The Book …

See above in the synopsis for additional information.

As well as the kindle edition I bought the audible version just in case I wasn’t well enough to actually read the book.

The kindle edition has 418 pages and at my reading speed a suggested reading time of 6 hours 13 minutes.

On audible it has a listening time of 13 hours 48 minutes. It is narrated by: Caroline Lee who reads very well and does use accents and tones to help identify different characters.

I was too poorly to read the kindle and I listened to the book on audio. I did get a bit lost a few times. Being so unwell with ME means I can’t concentrate for too long and so when I read the book I can flick back to remind myself of who is who. But on this occasion I couldn’t hold a book / kindle and so I had to listen on audio and when I got lost as to which chapter was about who I couldn’t flick back. I listened to the book twice but still felt a bit confused as to how the characters all slotted together. It took three listens to the whole before I really got the plot. And what a plot it is!

That said, it is a very enjoyable storyline with an element of should she shouldn’t shewhat’s happening now, and how Cecilia, one of the main protagonists, could spoil or ruin life as they all know it. I did also find that each character feels like they have a story of their own.

Why I Chose This  Book …

I chose the book because it was suggested by one of my followers and after reading the book blurb I felt it was definitely worth a read. On my second listen to the book I enjoyed it much more, probably because I understood the intricacies of the characters’ relationships. By the third listen I really did get it.

How I Found The  Book …

This was a great read but definitely needs a level of concentration ability and memory in order to stay up to speed with things. And so, it may be hard going for someone who has brain fog. If you take this on, you won’t be disappointed, just take it slowly and the minute you stop paying full attention take a break or better still listen to it a few times like I did.

Critical Comments …

I can’t find anything negative to critic with this book or with the author’s style. Both the storyline and the author’s style are intriguing and keep you wanting more. On the other hand, I actually do feel that the style and themes touched on and encouraged, in the reader, critical thinking about ways of being and doing, which is a good thing. If a book makes you think then it makes you question, which is always good.

The main idea that the book highlights is that if one person does the wrong or the right thing it can be enough to set the ball of impact in motion. So be brave people … you never know how something might come back to haunt you or what can come from it …

Lessons To Learn From The Book …

Be careful what you write down or say, especially when you’re drunk, but first off keep your temper in check. And know that when you choose to break trust or promises. It can have far reaching and devastating effects. The end of the novel includes an ironic twist as author Moriarty shows how tiny decisions can / could change the scope of dozens of lives.

Favourites Quotes …

To err is human; to forgive is devine. (Alexander Pope)

How could she possibly confront John-Paul? ‘Have you ever done anything inappropriate to one of our daughters?’ If he asked a question like that of her, she would never forgive him. How could a marriage continue when a question like that was asked? … (Cecilia thoughts after chatting with her youngest Polly)

Poor, poor Pandora. Zeus sends her off to marry Epimetheus, a not especially bright man she’s never even met, along with a mysterious covered jar. Nobody tells Pandora a word about the jar. Nobody tells her not to open the jar. Naturally, she opens the jar. What else has she got to do? How was she to know that all those dreadful ills would go whooshing out to plague mankind forever more, and that the only thing left in the jar would be hope? Why wasn’t there a warning label? And then, everyone’s like, Oh, Pandora. Where’s your willpower? You were told not to open that box, you snoopy girl, you typical woman with your insatiable curiosity, now look what you’ve gone and done. When for one thing it was a jar, not a box, and for another, how many times does she have to say it, nobody said a word about not opening it! (inside introductory words)

My Likes & My Dislikes …

See below …

Book Vs Movie …

No movie but I am sure it could be a good one should someone decide to turn it into a movie.

Final Notes & Recommendation …

I really enjoyed listening this book be read. I found that it made me think deeply about the things we do when we’re younger, those we try to forget. Not everyone goes as far as John-Paul but I am sure we all have something in our closets that’s we’d prefer to be kept there.

I would recommend the book to both its targeted audience.

I also suggest that this book would be a great, and enjoyable, as a full on audio drama or even a movie. 

I found nothing at all that I didn’t enjoy about the book and so I had to give it a full 10/10 for almost every area that I score on.

See below for my most important pros and cons in relation to the book.

The Important Bits …

The Husband’s Secret …

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Disclaimer

I bought The Husband’s Secret with my own money and all the views and opinions stated are my own. Anything in the review should not be used as law, it is simply my own honest and personal opinion. It is not medical advice, I am not medically qualified, and should not be used as such.

Please see Reviews Disclaimer … for my full disclaimer policy.

 fragmented.ME xXx

My birth name is Denise, but I’m know as Bella to those who love me. I have a first class honours degree in education & psychology and a strong passion to keep learning and educating others ... I have severe ME/CFS and lots of other chronic illnesses and I started this blog as an expansion to my instagram page, where I advocate for chronic illness. I am married and have two grown up boys, or should I say young men. I have three gorgeous grandchildren, one boy and two girls. And despite being chronically sick and housebound I am mostly happy. 🥰